In order to synchronize a generator to the grid, four
conditions must be met.

Phase Sequence

The phase sequence (or phase rotation) of the three phases
of the generator must be the same as the phase sequence of the three phases of
the electrical system (Grid). The only time that the phase sequence could be
wrong is at initial installation or after maintenance.

There are two possible problem sources. The generator or
transformer power leads could actually be interchanged during maintenance or
the potential transformer leads could be interchanged during maintenance.

Voltage Magnitude

The magnitude of the sinusoidal voltage produced by the
generator must be equal to the magnitude of the sinusoidal voltage of the grid.
If all other conditions are met but the two voltages are not the same, that is
there is a voltage differential, closing of the ac generator output breaker
will cause a potentially large MVAR flow.

Recall that before a generator is synchronized to the grid,
there is no current flow, no armature reaction and therefore the internal
voltage of the generator is the same as the terminal voltage of the generator.

If the generator voltage is higher than the grid voltage,
this means that the internal voltage of the generator is higher than the grid
voltage. When it is connected to the grid the generator will be overexcited and
it will put out MVAR.

If the generator voltage is less than the grid voltage, this
means that the internal voltage of the generator is lower than the grid
voltage. When it is connected to the grid the generator will be underexcited
and it will absorb MVAR.

Frequency

The frequency of the sinusoidal voltage produced by the
generator must be equal to the frequency of the sinusoidal voltage produced by
the grid.The synchroscope would be rotating rapidly counter clockwise.

If the generator breaker were to be accidentally closed, the
generator would be out of step with the external electrical system. It would
behave like motor and the grid would try to bring it up to speed. In doing so,
the rotor and stator would be slipping poles and damage (possibly destroy) the
generator as described previously.

The same problem would occur if the generator were faster
than the grid. The grid would try to slow it down, again resulting in slipping
of poles.

The high points and zero crossings of the sinusoidal
voltages occur at the same rate of speed. However, if you notice in 2 NotesN
otes: with the grid and a phase angle exists between them. This would appear as
a non-rotating synchroscope (both generator and grid at same frequency), where
the pointer would appear stuck at about 9:00 o’clock (generator lagging grid).

If the generator breaker were to be closed at this time, the
grid would pull the generator into step. However, this again would cause a
large current in-rush to the generator and high stresses on the rotor/stator
with subsequent damage to the generator.

If the generator were leading the grid, it would try to
immediately push power into the grid with the same destructive forces as
mentioned. Hence the generator must be brought to a point where the grid voltage
waveform exactly matches what it is producing.

Phase Angle

As previously mentioned, the phase angle between the voltage
produced by the generator and the voltage produced by the grid must be zero.
The phase angle (0 to 3600) can be readily observed by comparing the
simultaneous occurrence of the peaks or zero crossings of the sinusoidal
waveforms.

If the generator breaker is closed when they match exactly,
the connection will appear smooth and seamless. At that instance, the pointer
on the synchroscope would indicate 12:00 o’clock. The worst case occurs if the
generator is exactly out-of phase, with a phase angle of 1800 and the
synchroscope pointing at 6:00 o’clock.

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